Illinois lawmakers eye tax breaks for companies that take over abandoned state buildings

Monday

Nov 11, 2013 at 9:00 AM

The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD — One state lawmaker wants to offer tax incentives to companies if they agree to take over abandoned state facilities.

Lee Enterprises newspapers’ Springfield bureau reports (http://bit.ly/1aOrdgJ ) supporters of the legislation say it could help communities, while also keeping vacant facilities from turning into crumbling eyesores.

The bill would let a private investor get an income tax credit in exchange for refurbishing a former state facility. The incentives would only apply to state facilities that had at least 100 employees and were closed within the past two years.

State Sen. Gary Forby, a Benton Democrat, supports the bill. His district includes the state’s super-max prison at Tamms, which closed earlier this year.

The bill passed in the state Senate, but hasn’t been considered in the House.